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The Oregon Ducks were a revelation in 2022. This time last year, there were more questions than answers.
Dan Lanning was entering his debut season as the new head coach in Eugene. No one knew what to expect or what direction Lanning would take the program.
Bo Nix transferred from Auburn with previous baggage. Nix failed to live up to expectations in the SEC, so many supporters around the Oregon program were less than thrilled with the direction under center.
Fast forward one year, and the fanbase is thrilled with the hiring of Lanning, and Nix is getting plenty of Heisman hype. It is Pac-12 title or bust for the Oregon Ducks. Can they cap off a magical 2023 season?
Way too early season prediction
We have seen previous Ducks' regimes struggle when the pressure is on. Why is Dan Lanning's 2023 version any different?
Bo Nix delivered on his upside during his first season in Eugene. If Nix can continue to improve, the sky is the limit for the Oregon offense.
The Ducks suffered some losses as CB Christian Gonzalez and LB Noah Sewell departed for the NFL, but Lanning and the Ducks' staff have done a phenomenal job in recruiting and have talented players in the mix to replace them.
Oregon should be favored in all but two games, so a double-digit win season should be in the cards. I don't see them getting to the top of the Pac-12 mountain top; instead, they will fall just short.
Key matchups for the 2023 season
The first game that grabs our attention is a late October trip to face the defending Pac-12 champs, the Utah Utes. The Utes may not be as strong as they were in 2022, with the loss of players like TE Dalton Kincaid, but the Utes will remain formidable and, for the Ducks, a mental hurdle.
Two weeks later, Oregon hosts their bitter rivals, the USC Trojans. The Pac-12 title and potentially the Heisman Trophy could be on the line with USC QB Caleb Williams and Oregon QB Bo Nix squaring off.
Players to watch
QB Bo Nix is the headliner for Oregon. Nix played better than most expected in 2022, and the Ducks' signal-caller is generating Heisman hype. How Nix handles the additional spotlight and scrutiny that comes with the college football microscope will be telling.
RB Bucky Irving will provide the balance needed for the Ducks' offense to succeed. Irving transferred from Minnesota a year ago, staked claim to the starting back role, and never relinquished it. Irving is the leader for touches in the Ducks' backfield heading into 2023.
Roster analysis
The losses to be most concerned with were on the back half of the defense. Dan Lanning has developed a pipeline of sensational athletes for such occasions.
The Ducks have a high-end passing attack through Bo Nix, a top-notch running game, and they can get after the opposing QB. If the Ducks' offensive line can gel and keep Nix upright, they should chalk up plenty of victories.
Coaching staff and changes
The shift in offensive coordinator from Kenny Dillingham to Will Stein has repercussions for the Ducks' offense. Will Stein is a risky hire for the Ducks. Stein was calling plays in high school five years ago.
Stein did a great job calling plays for UTSA last season, but there's not much of a track record here. If the Oregon offense struggles early, the move for Will Stein will catch the ire of Duck Nation.
Expectations and goals
The expectations for the Ducks are a double-edged sword. If history can predict the future, expect the Ducks to be a talent-rich team capable of winning the Pac-12, only to fall flat against hard-nosed teams.
The goals should be to defeat USC and Utah, win the Pac-12 title, and secure a big win in the National semi-finals. The Ducks can achieve these goals if they vanquish their expected demons.
Conclusion
Head coach Dan Lanning has the team he wants, with the QB at the helm he wants, and the Ducks will have USC at home in the game of the season. Time to put up or shut up if you're the Ducks. While I would like to be optimistic and say they will slay the dragon, history tells us not to expect it.
